Paper-reinforcing machine.



c. H. HOWARD.

PAPER REINFORCING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.23. I914. RENEWED APR. 13. I916.

1,21 1,849. Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

c. H. HOWARD. PAPER REINFORCING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV-23' 1914- RENEWED APR. 13' 19 16.

Patented J 111.9, 1917.

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3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- wf wwm i NW mlll INVMX NQH C. H. HOWARD.

PAPER REINFORCING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-23, 1914. RENEWED APR. 13. ms.

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CHARLES H. HOWARD, OF SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO PATRICK TRACY JACKSON. JR., OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

PAPER-REINFORCING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

Application filed November 23, 1914, Serial No. 873,515. Renewed April 13, 1916. Serial No. 90,977. I

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES H. HowAnD,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Saugus, county of Essex, andState of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Paper-Reinforcing Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specificahave been employed for carrying the spools of thread or tape and drawing ofl the required length of strip by gripping devices on a companion disk. In others, an individual reciprocating gripper was employed,

but these have not met the economic production desired on account of the necessary Weight of the rotary means employed together with the load carried, and other considerations on the one hand and the requisite slow' operation incident thereto andvto the use of the reciprocating gripper device, all as pointed out in an earlier application, Serial Number 832,073, filed April 15, 1914. With these and other considerations in view, theaims and purposes of the present invention are to provide a machine of the general character stated, wherein economic efficiency of production is secured and the parts so organized. and related that 1mproved simplicity of operation results, and the machine is rendered simple in construction, all as will more fully appear from the following specification and accompanying drawings of one form of means for carrying the invention into practical effect.

An important feature of the present invention consists in gripper meansv which carry a plurality of threads transversely of the material to be reinforced and then move along with the material while still maintaining their control of the transverse surface, such as aroller.

threads, so that the final position of thethreads upon the surface of the material is accurately insured. In the prior application mentioned herein, the gripper means for carrying the threads transversely of the web of material to be reinforced delivered the transverse threads to carriers arranged at each side of the machine and these carriers delivered the threads to the surface of the web, but in the present invention the gripper means themselves deliver the transverse threads to the surface of the. web and. to better effect this purpose they are given, in

addition to the transverse movement, a movement longitudinally of the machine.

This compound or dual movement of the gripper means may be employed withoadvantage in connection with the carriers of the prior application, and the claims herein are not to be understood as being restricted in this respect, as applicant believes himself to be the firstin this art to provide gripper means for placing a plurality of threads transversely of a web to be reinforced and moving the gripper means lon gitudinally of the machine While still holding said threads.

'Another important feature of the invention consists in gripper means for carrying the threads transversely of the web, then longitudinally of the machine, and means for relatively moving the Web and transverse threads in' a direction of approach to place the threads'directly on the surface of the web. In the present instance of the inverse threads and web to bring them into contact, is secured by pressing the web over a support of any suitable construction and imparting to the support a rising and falls ing movement, but of course, the same effect vention, the relative movement of the transcould be secured by moving the web toward the transverse threads or the transverse threads toward the web, and likewise 1 while the support for the web is in the present instance a flat surface or'table, it is evident that the web might pass over a curved The above and other featuresof the invention will be described hereinafter, and

then be made the subject of the claims.

. mu 1e Itwill be understood, also, that while the particulars and details shown and described constitute a good, practical form or embodithe true scope thereof as defined by the claims.

In exploitation of the features of the invention, it is shown as applied to a machine in which the ends of the transverse reinforcing strips extend beyond the edge of the fabric, as may be desired in some form of product, as for instance, in making tags; but features of the invention are also applicable with production of other products, such as reinforced paper fabrics, the essential distinction being in one the ends of the threads extend beyond the edge of the fabric and in the other they are preferably trimmed close to the edge.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a general plan view showing a paper reinforcing ma.- chine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown by Fig. 1, certain of the actuating cams being omitted for clearness of illustration; Fig. 3 shows a small piece of the product of the illustrated machine; Fig. 4 is an end view of the machine, some of the parts being broken away and others shown by full and dotted lines in two positions; Fig. 5 is a side view of the cams for moving the grippers laterally and the table to and from the plane of the grippers; Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5, but showing the cam for moving the grippers longitudinally or with the fabric or paper and for actuating the thread cutter; Fig. 7 is a detached view showing a good practical form of one of the grippers on an enlarged scale; and Fig. ;8 is a sectional view of the two grippers on line 88, Fig. 7, showing their relation as they approach each other, one being closed upon the threads and drawing them from the source of supply and the other open to receive the projectingend of the threads.

The machine frame may be of any usual construction, and as indicated in the drawings, comprises the side frames 1 having the supporting legs 2 and suitably tied together by cross-ties? Mounted in suitable hearings 1 in the machine frame, is the driving shaft 5 which may be driven from any suitable source of power, not shown, through the belt pulleys 6, or otherwise.

The present invention contemplates that the fabric or web of paper to be reinforced shall be fed continuously through the machine and that transverse threads shall be applied thereto by being drawn into a plane transversely of the traveling web; and that the web and plane of transverse threads may then be moved in a direction of relative approach to place the transverse threads upon the web, and that the transverse thread carrying means shall move along with the web while still holding the transverse threads. These features of the invention may be carried into effect by various different forms of mechanisms, but as illustrated in the drawings, the present embodiment of the invention has in view a rising and falling table or support over which the web or sheet material is passed, whereby the sheet or web of paper may be bodily moved at times to bring its surface into contact with the transverse threads held in a single plane above it.

Disposed between the side frames 1, is the table or support 7, which may be of any desired character, but as shown comprises a flat surface structure over which the web or sheet material may be passed. Mounted in the side frames 1 are the rock shafts 8 and 9 carrying rocker arms, one portion 10 and 11 of which are connected by links 12 and 13 to suitable lugs 14, 15, extending down from the table 7. The rocker arms are connected to move in unison, and to this end the portions 16 and 17 thereof are connected. by a link 18. Extending from the rock shaft 9 is an arm 19 having pivotally connected thereto at 20, an actuator 21 provided with a roll 22 which engages a cam path 23, Fig. 5, in a cam 24: secured to the shaft 5. The actuator 21 may be appropriately guided in its movement under the action of the cam path 23, and as one means to this end, said actuator is shown as provided with the bifurways 27, Fig. 1, in which are received the' shoes 28 extending from the brackets 29 which project from the table 7. Obviously, the particular means for imparting to the table or support 7 its characteristic rising and fallingmovements, may be variously modified, but'the described construction is found to be a good, practical form of this feature of the invention.

The web or sheet material to which the transverse threads are to be applied may be taken from any suitable source and fed through the machine over the table or support 7, the said web or sheet material being indicated at a, Fig. 1, and traveling in the direction of the arrow. In order to guide the sheet material a over the table, the latter is preferably provided with the guide rolls 30 and 31, Fig. 2, one at each end, and from the guide roll 31 the web or sheet material hesive may be either appliedto' thesheet ma terial as it is passed to the machine or it may be that the sheet material has been previously gummed, in whichcase the gum will be suitably moistened, so that when the transverse threads are placed upon the surface of the'material, they.. will maintain their position.

As hereinbefore'pointed' out, it is desirable that the transverse threads shall be drawn from .a suitable source of supply in plural numbers, and be moved into 'a single plane some distance from the sheet material, and that the said sheet material and threads shall be then moved into contact and the transverse threads, while still held by the drawing-in means, shall be moved along with-the sheet material. One good form of means for thus disposing the transverse threads will now be described.

Mounted on each side of the machine frame, are the blocks 33, Figs. 2 and 4, guided for movement longitudinally of the machine frame by suitable dove-tailed guiding connections 34 between said blocks 33 and suitable brackets orarms 35 extending from the machine frame. Projecting from each of the blocks 33 is -a lug36, Figs. 2

and 4, to which is pivotally connected at 37, a link 38 pivoted at 39 to an-ope'ratin'g arm 40 which is itself pivotally mounted to the machine frame as by means of a rock shaft 41. Extending from the rock shaft 41 is an arm 42 to which is pivoted at 43 anactuator 44 having the pin or roller 45 adapted to travel in a cam-way 46. The actuator 44 is or may be substantially similar to the actuator 21 already described, that is, its .end portion may be bifurcated as at 47, Fig. 2, to embrace the'hub of the cam 46, the construction being such that upon rotation of the driving shaft 5 the actuator 44 will. be moved to rock the rock shaft 41 and through the arm 40 move the blocks 33 in a direction longitudinally of the machine frame. Each of the blocks 33 is provided with a dove-tailed guideway 48, Figs. 2 and 4, to receive the gripper carriers 49. These gripper carriers 49 are each similarly formed and comprise a transversely-extending carrier from which rises a pin 50, Fig. 1, to engage the slotted-end portion 51 of the operating arms 52, suitable means being provided for swinging the arm 52 about its axis to movethe gripper carriers 49' transversely of the machine, as will now be described.

Mounted in a suitable bearing 53 is a pin- 54 carrying at its upper portion the sleeve 55 from which projects the arm 52. Also mounted on the said pin 54 at its lower portion, is the bevel gear 56, Figs. 2 and 4, operatively engaged with the segment gear 57 carried by a rock shaft 58, there being of course, one of said segment gears and its coacting parts at each side of the machine frame. I

Secured to the rock shaft 58 is an arm 59, Fig. 2, to which is pivotally connected at 60, an actuator 61 which may be of the same general character as the actuators 21 and44, hereinbefore described,that is, it carries a pin or roller 62, Fig. 6, which travels in the cam path 63 of a cam 64, the said actuator 61 being also provided with bifurcated end portions suitably guided by the hub portions of the cam 64, similar in this respect to the guiding features of the actuators 21 and 44,the construction being such that as'theactuator 61 is moved by its cam, the gear segments 57 will be rocked to impart to the pin 54 and the connected arms 22, a swinging or rocking movement about their axes, substantially as indicated by full and dotted lines, Fig. 1. From the construction described, it will be apparent that the grippers are given a movement transversely and also a movement longitudinally of the machine so that the transverse threads may be placed upon the web while moving with it, and while the described form of mechanism is found to be a good, practical embodiment of-this feature of the invention, it will be understood that it may be varied within the true scope of the invention as pointed out by the claims. v

Each of the gripper carriers 49 carries meansfor engaging a plurality of threads, and the said means may be herein termed a gripper, a good practical form of which is opposite the recesses66 and constituting in elfect, the coacting jaw member of the gripper, the said spring 68 normally acting to maintain the gripper jaw members in separated relation, substantially as indicated at the left, in Fig. 8. Mounted in suitable supports 70 rising from each end of the base portion of the grippers, is a jaw operatmembers will be maintained in separated relation so that the threads therein Will be released; but when the jaw operating member 71 is turned into the position indicatedin Fig. 8, at the right, the cam portion of the jaw operating member will press upon the spring 68, and close the jaws of the gripper upon the thread, as will be readily understood. The grippers just described constitute a good practical form of this feature of the lnvention, but theinvention is not restricted thereto, and where the terms grippers or gripper means are employed they are intended to be generic and embrace any appropriate jaw elements for engaging and moving threads.

In order that the jaw operating members may be properly manipulated at the desired times, as will presently appear, each of the jaw operatingmembers 71 is provided with a finger 73. The transverse threads 5' are taken from a source of supply 74 at one side of the machine by one of the grippers and are carried toward the median line of the machine where the projecting ends of the transverse threads I) enter between the jaws of the opposite gripper, which thereupon close upon the ends of the threads. Simultaneously therewith, or substantially so, the gripper jaws which carry the threads from the supply side of the machine toward the median line thereof, are opened, whereupon both series of grippers move transversely outward, and then longitudinally of the machine. As one convenient form of means for thus operating the gripper jaws, the gripper jaw carrier 49 at the supply side of the machine, and which, for identification may be referred to as the gripper A, is provided with a finger trip 75, which, when the grippers move toward the median line of the machine and come into cooperating relation, strikes the toe 73 of the jaw operating member 71 of the gripper at the other side of the machine, which for identification,may be known as gripper B. Such contact of the trip 75 with the toe 7 3, Fig. 1, causes the'ja-w operating member 71 to close the jaws of the gripper B upon the projecting end of the threads I), when the grippers are in mid-position. Similarly, when the. grippers meet insuch mid-position, it is necessary that the threads I) be released from the gripper jaws of the gripperA, and to this end the gripper carrier at the delive side of the machine, is provided with a trip 7 6, Fig. 8, which, as the grippers come together, moves the toe 73 of t e gripper A and turns the jaw operating member 71, thereby releasing the transverse threads I). As the grippers now move outwardly, or toward the sides of the machine, the transverse threads I) are carried by the gripper B and the jaws of the gripper A being now opened, the said gripper moves outward toward the side of the machine freely, and without afjpcting the transverse threads 7). The grippers having now moved to their outer posi tion at the sides of the machine, they are, as hereinbefore described, moved longitudinally of the machine or along with the sheet material 0:, after the sheet material and transverse threads have been brought in contact. When the gripper B has reached the end of its longitudinal movement as defined by its operating means and the slot 51 in the arm 52, it is necessary that the ends of the transverse threads held by it, be re-. leased, and to this end there is pivotally mounted at 77, Fig. 1, a trip, one finger 78 of which is adapted to contact with the part 76 carried by the gripper B, and to be moved thereby against the tension of the spring 80, Fig. 1, to cause the projection 81 to contact with the lug 82 on the aw operating member 71 to turn the same into its jaw releasing position.

At the supply side of the machine, the threads I) which are now clamped by the jaws of the gripper A, are to be severed at a point in front of said jaw; and to this end a cutter 83 is provided, Fig. 1. This cutter may take various forms, but in the present instance of the invention as herein shown is composed of a disk having a sharp cutting edge and mounted on a shaft '84 extending transversely of the machine and connected to the operating arms 85, Fig. 1, said arms being jointed at 86 to rockerarms 87 mounted on the rock shaft 89. The cutter 83 preferably severs the transverse threads at one edge of the table or support 7, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4, and 1n order that it may perform this function the entire length of the gripper jaws, the cutter is moved longitudinally of the machine at a rapid rate as the grippers are moving longitudinally of the machine in the opposite direction and along with the sheet material. To this end, the rock shaft 89 has connected therewith the actuator 90, pivoted at 91 to an arm 92 secured to the rock shaft 89, said actuator V opened and deliver the ends of the threads tothe gripper B and then both grippers .return toward the side of the machine to place the transverse threads in a single plane above the sheet material. Since the aws of the grippers A are open during this return movement of the gripper to the delivery slde of the machine, it becomes necessary to close these jaws upon the threads as the said gripper comes to its final position at the end of transverse movement. To this end, the jaw operating member 71 of the gripper A is provided with a projection 96 which, as the gripper A reaches its terminal position at the side of the machine, contacts with a stop 97, Fig. 1, which closes the jaws of this gripper upon the threads, and thereupon this gripper as well as the gripper at the opposite side of the machine, move with the Web longitudinally of the machine.

From the construction described, it will be noted that the transverse threads are moved by the grippers in a plane above the sheet material. The sheet material is then raised into contact with the transverse threads and the transverse threads, by gripper movement, and while held by the grippers, are moved along with the web until at the end of the traverse of the grippers, the threads are released from the grippers, preferably by opening the jaws of one gripper and severing the threads atthe front of the jaws of the other gripper. The threads being now free from the grippers, the sheet material is lowered by the lowering movement of the table and the grippers return by a diagonal movement from their position as indicated by full lines in Fig. 1 to their meeting position at the median line of the machine, as indicated by dotted lines.

The invention as'thus far described has had invview the placing of a series of transverse threads upon the-gummed surface of a single sheet of material a. It may be, however, desirable at times to superpose another sheet of material upon the transverse threads, so that thelatter may be inclosed between two sheets of material. Any appropriate means may be employed for this purpose, but as illustrated in the drawings, the present invention contemplates securing to the delivery end portion of the machine, suitable brackets 98, Fig. 2, having a bearing 99 for the support of a paper roll 100, the paper 0 of Which passes around a gumming roll 101, Fig. 1, where it is supplied on one surface, either with a sticky material or, if

previously gummed, it is moistened. From thegumming roll 101 the paper or other sheet material 0 passes around a guide roll 102, and from such roll about a roll 103, preferably mounted on the shaft 84 of the cutter mechanism, the said roller 103 being supported in peripheral rolling contact with the surface of the table 7. Since the cutter 83 is to be moved longitudinally of the. table to cut the threads at the delivery side of the machine, the roll 102 is mounted on a shaft 104 having its ends extended into a guideof the machine, the guide roll 102 will be likewise moved to thereby maintain the paper or web 0 in proper relation with the rolls about which it passes. Thesheet material or paper a in passing over the table 7, likewise passes around the roll 103 after having been supplied with the transverse threads; ,and it will be readily seen that the paper or web 0 willbe thus superposed upon the transverse threads, and the compound fabric thus formed will then pass over the guide roll 31 at'the rear portion of the table and between the rolls 32 for delivering, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 3, is shown the construction of compound fabric just described, wherein the layers of sheet material a and 0, have interposed between them the transverse threads I), the whole being held together by the contacting of the gummed surfaces of the two webs. The web or paper to be reinforced may be supplied either from suitable rolls or direct from the paper-making machine.

What is claimed is 1. In a paper reinforcing machine, the combination of a support over which the paper is passed, grippers for carrying a series of threads transversely of the paper and holding the threads in'a plane above the paper, means for raising the paper to the plane of the transverse series of threads while said threads are held by the grippers, and means for moving the grippers with the paper as it travels over the support. I s

2. In a paper. reinforcing machine, they combination ofa support over which the paper is passed, grippers for carrying a series of threads transversely of the paper and holding the threads in a plane above the paper, means for raising the paper to the plane of the transverse series of threads while said threads are held by the grippers, means for movin the grippers with the paper as it trave s over the support, and means for freeing the series of threads from the grippers while in contact with the paper.

with the paper as it travels over the support with the threads in contact with the paper. 7 V I .4. In a machine of the character derality of threads transversely of the sheet material, and means for moving said grippers in the direction of feed of the sheet material while holding the transverse threads.

, 5. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a table over which a web of sheet material having a sticky surface is passed, grippers for simultaneously, carrying a plurality of threads transversely of the sheet material, means for relatively moving the grippers and table toward each other to place the transverse threads held by the grippers in contact with the sticky surface of the sheet material,

means for moving the grippers with the sheet material as it is fed over said table and while the threads held by the grippers are in contact with the sticky surface of the sheet material, and means for freeing one end of the transverse threads from the grippers and for severing the threads adjacent the other grippers.

6. In a machine of the character described, a table or support adapted to support a web of sheet material as it is moved thereover, grippers for carrying a plurality of threads transversely of said sheet material and placing them in a plane parallel with the plane of movement of the sheet material, means for relatively moving the sheet material and the plurality of transverse threads toward each to place the threads in contact with the sheet material, means for moving the grippers along with the sheet material as it travels over said table to hold the transverse threads in contact with said sheet material, and means for superposing a web of sheet material upon the transverse threads.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination of'means for directing a web of sheet material longitudinally of the machine, taneously carrying a p transversely of said material into a single plane out of contact with said sheet material, means for moving the sheet material andplurality of threads relatively to bring the threads in contact with the sheet material, and means for moving the grippers in a plane parallel with the plane of movement of the sheet material as it is passed'through the machine, and means for freeing the portions of the transverse threads upon the sheet material from the grippers.

8. In a fabric reinforcing machine, the combination of means for directing sheet grippers for simul rality of threads.

material through the machine, grippers for carrying transverse threads, means for moving the grippers transversely of the sheet material to carry said threads transversely of the sheet material, means for then moving the grippers along with the sheet materialas it is fed, and means for freeing portions ofthe threads from the grippers.

9. In a fabric reinforcing machine, the combination of means for directing sheet material through the machine, grippers on opposite sides of the machine, means for moving the grippers toward and from each other to place threads transversely of the sheet material, means for moving the grippers along with the sheet material as 1t is fed, and means for moving the grippers in a diagonal direction toward each other.

10. In a paper reinforcing machine, means for directing a web of paper through'the machine, grippers for carrying a plurality of transverse threads, means for moving the grippers transversely of the paper web in a plane above the same, means for ralsing the paper web into contact with the transverse threads, means for moving the grippers along with the paper web as the latter 1s "fed to hold the transverse, threads in contact with the web, and means for freeing the threads in contact with the web from the paper is passed, grippers for carrying a plural ty of threads into a single plane above said table, means for raising the table to' place the web of paper in contact with said plurality of threads, means for then moving the grippers longitudinally of the machinealong with the web of paper while still holding the transverse threads, means operative as the grippers reach the limit of their longitudinal movement for opening the jaws of one gripper, and means for severing the threads adjacent the jaws of the y other gripper.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of grippers for carrying a plurality of threads transversely of the machine in a single plane, a table over which sheet material is passed, means for raising the sheet material into contact with the threads held by the grippers, means for moving the grippers along with the sheet material with the transverse threads in contact with the sheet material, a roller supported by the table, and means for moving the roller along said table and over the transverse threads and sheet material.

13. In a machine of the character described, a support over which sheet material is passed, grippers for carrying threads transversely of the sheet material, means for moving thegrippers along with the sheet material while still holding the transverse threads, a roller, and .means for moving the roller over the transverse threads and sheet material on the support.

14:. In a machine of the character described, a support over which sheet material is passed, grippers for carrying threads transversely of the sheet material, means for moving the grippers along with the sheet material while still holding the transverse threads, a roller, means for moving the roller over the transverse threads and sheet material on the support, and means for guiding a second sheet of material about said rollerto superpose said second sheet upon the transverse threads and first-named sheet of material.

15. In a machine for reinforcing paper, the combination of a table over which a paper strip is passed, grippers for carrying a plurality of threads in a single plane above I the combination of .a gripper carrier at each side'of the machine, grippers supported by each of said carriers, and means for moving the grippers in three directions, first diagonally toward the median line of the machine and then transversely thereto, and

then longitudinally of the machine.

17. In a paper reinforcing machine, the

combination of means for feeding a web of paper, and gripper mechanism for carrylng threads transversely to and along with said web, comprising gripper jaws, and means for moving said gripper aws transversely of the web and also in the direction of paper webmovement.

18. In a paper reinforcing machine, a. table over which a web of paper is passed, means for raising and lowering said table, grippers for transverse threads, means for moving said grippers to carry said threads transversely of said web and then longitudinally along with said web while still holding said transverse threads, a roller movable with said table, and means for movingthe roller over the transverse threads and web, and means for freeing the transverse threads from said grippers. r

19. In a machine of. the character described, the combination of means for longitudinally feeding a web to be reinforced,

grippers for carrying threads in a direction transversely of the web, and means for moving the grippers transversely of the web and then longitudinally while still holding the .scribed, the combination of a support over transverse threads to lay said threads on the web while held by the grippers.

20. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means for supportingand feeding a 'web of material to be 7@ reinforced, gripper means for engaging a plurality of transverse threads, means for moving said gripper means transversely of the machine to carry the threads transversely of the web, means for moving the gripper 5' I means longitudinally of the machine to place the plurality of transverse threads on the web, and means for freeing the threads from the grippers after they have been laid upon the web. so

21. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a support over which a Web of material to be reinforced is fed, gripper means for drawing a plurality of threads simultaneously transversely of 5:,

the web, means for relatively moving the web and transverse threads in a direction of approach to lay the threads upon the web, and means for moving the grippers in the direction of web feed while still holding the transverse threads. 7 v

22. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a support over which the web to be reinforced is fed, griper means at each side of the machine, means or moving the gripper means toward and away from each other to carry threads transversely of the web, and means for-moving the gripper means longitudinally along with the web while still holding the transverse. threads to insure proper position of the transverse threads when laid upon the web.

24. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a support over which the web to be reinforced is fed, gripper means at each side of the machine, means for moving the gripper means toward and away from each other to carry threads transversely of the web, means for moving the gripper means longitudinally along with the web while still holding the transverse threads to insure proper position of the transverse threads when laid upon the web, and means for freeing thetransverse threads from the grippers.

25. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a support over which the web to be reinforced is fed, gripper means at each side of the machine,

means for moving the gripper means toward and away from each other to carry threads transversely of the web, means for relatively moving the gripper means and web toward each other, and means for moving the gripper means longitudinally along with the web while still holding the transverse threads when laid upon the web.

26. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a support over p which a web to be reinforced is fed, gripper means, means for moving the gripper means in rectilinear paths, first transversely of the machine to place a plurality of threads transversely of the web and then in the direction of web feed-while still holding the transverse threads.

27. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a support over which a web to be reinforced is continuously fed, gripper means for taking a series of threads from a source of supply .and placing I them transversely of the web, means for moving the web and transverse threads in a direction of approach to lay the transverse threads upon the web while still held by the gripper means, and means for moving the gripper means in the direction of web feed while still holding the transverse threads to insureproper transverse position ,of the threads upon the web, and means for freeing the transverse threads from the gripper means and cutting, them from the source of supply.

'28. In a 'machine of thecharacter described, the' combination of means for continuously feeding a transverse thread receiving web longitudinally, means for distending a series of threads in parallel relation transversely of the web, means for relatively moving the series of transverse parallel threads and the web in a direction of approach to lay the series of transverse threads directly upon the web.

29. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means for continuously feeding a web longitudinally, a source of transverse thread supply, gripper means for drawing a series of threads from said supply and simultaneously distending them in parallel relation transversely of the web and moving them bodily forward with the web, and means for relatively moving the parallel transverse threads and web in a direction of approach to lay the threads along with the web as it is continuously fed.

In testimony whereof, I have signed m name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES H. HOWARD. Witnesses:

BEATRICE I. SMITH, ELLEN B. TOMLINSON. 

